It is not an isu of RIGHT verses wrong.
It’s an issue of which is more approiate to OUR GOD IN PERSON.
ITH is “taking Christ”
OTT is “receiving Christ”
The “norm” was changed because OF ABUSE.
If you doubt this is comon today; LOOK at the wat Christ is received and handed out.
Many wish to make th “debate” about “there rights”. Without God there would be NO rights at all.
Love and prayers,
Pat
Look at whom Christ ate with when He walked the earth and tell me He would be paranoid about the types of things going on here … unwashed hands and the like. Those who were about purifying their hands before eating were horrified – but Christ went on unabated.
Long ago I conceded that tradition is necessary for the longevity of the church, but please do not elevate the traditions of men as if God Himself had dictated them – or has a personal preference. It is about how people view the sacrament, not how God views it.
Maybe that’s not what you meant, but I just wanted to make sure. I’d bet my life that God doesn’t care one whit about whether any particular individual receives COTT or CITH. Except, of course, to the extent that such issue divides His church.
If a communicant fails to bow, for example, it might annoy the person behind him/her, although that person should be minding his own business. Same person will be judged by internals only by God. If they failed to bow for a reason of pride, like they felt they were too good to bow, then God will know – regardless of what other observers think. If they do not bow because they’re careless and sloppy and irreverent, God will know that too – regardless of what other observers think. If they do not bow because of physical problem or whatever, God will know that too – regardless of what other observers think.
IOW, I contend that God is concerned only with the internals during Communion. For the longevity of His church and tradition, externals matter.
Alan